18 December, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The level of reimbursement of housing and communal services by the population at fixed tariffs in the Vitebsk region in 2013 is projected at 16%. This was announced today at the session of the Vitebsk Regional Council by the Head of the Finance Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Boris Kichanovsky, while presenting the region's budget for 2013, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Approximately 70% of the costs for housing and communal services will be covered by the budget, with the remaining amount to be funded from other revenue sources. In contrast, in passenger transport, the level of cost reimbursement by the population will increase from 53% in the current year to 80% in 2013, with budget subsidies accounting for 20%. Overall, the region's budget for 2013 has been formed based on the forecast for the socio-economic development of the region. Revenues for the budget, including subsidies, will amount to Br13.8 trillion and will be generated mainly from receipts from personal income tax, value-added tax, and profit tax, as well as other property taxes and payments. The distinctive features of the regional budget in terms of expenditures are the balanced budgets of all levels with their revenues, the preservation of the quality of budget services, and the social protection of vulnerable population groups. Expenditures for the consolidated regional budget are projected at Br13.5 trillion, representing a 25% increase compared to the expected execution for 2012. The budget will be socially oriented. Expenditures on education and healthcare will constitute 26% and 21% respectively of the total expenditure volume, with the share of costs for housing and communal services being 16% and for transport - 2%. -0-

BELTA